Life in Williston

Hurricane of activity swirling through

Nov. 23, 2011

By Karen Wyman

How is it that during this time of year the amount of daylight becomes shorter, but my to-do list becomes so much longer? As I face the daunting tasks of finding winter apparel for the girls, planning holiday food and festivities, and the seemingly endless amount of shopping, I just can’t get myself motivated. When it’s dark when I go to work and dark when I get home, it’s hard to stay positive.

This year I was lucky enough to break up this self-pity party with a family trip to “The Happiest Place on Earth”— Disney World! A week of soaking up sunshine and Vitamin D helped improve my attitude, and now I am officially in the holiday spirit.

Although this may sound like great news, my family would not agree. This “spirit” I mention is more accurately described as an OCD-propelled hurricane of stress and mania whirling through the house. Once it has been set in motion, there is no exorcizing this demon from the house. It awakens early in the morning, with an extreme urge to clean everything. It first attacks everyone’s closets, and even my children have learned this drill. They quickly start dividing all clothing and shoes into three piles. First pile: items to stay in the closet and/or drawers. Second pile: items to be stored in the basement for future wear. Third pile: items to be donated.

The hurricane storms from room to room, checking on everyone’s progress. The same routine is then performed on toys, books, etc. Inevitably, the piles multiply and ultimately include a large trash/recycle pile, and a pile of items to be sold or “traded in.” Having the convenience of a consignment store and a donation center located right here in Williston makes this seasonal purge so much easier. All I have to do is drop off the “sell/trade in” pile at one store, get a return time from them, and then head to the other store. I simply pull-up under the overhang, and an employee comes right out and helps me get my “donate” pile out of the trunk. Then it’s back to the consignment shop to hopefully pick up a check! My girls know that before new toys can be purchased, unused toys need to be passed on to others. This makes it much easier for them to let go of things.

Now the eye of the storm hits the kitchen. As I blow through the pantry, I part with those ingredients that were intended for long lost recipes. I take a realistic inventory of what my family will actually eat, since kids’ taste buds apparently don’t coincide with sales and coupons. The aftermath that remains gets neatly returned to cabinets or boxed up and delivered to the Williston Community Food Shelf. This wonderful organization is open Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. If these hours don’t concur with my whirlwind schedule, I bring the items to one of the Williston businesses that have a designated food shelf donation box.

This year we also donated our Halloween candy to soldiers serving overseas via Operation Gratitude. After a quick trip to the post office, my family was relieved of the massive amounts of sugar that would have further fueled my rampage.

It amazes me how the town of Williston accommodates so many of the needs required to run a family and household. Even when a severe holiday spirit attacks our home, everything we need to organize, donate and replenish is available without ever leaving town. No matter how wild things get, I won’t take for granted the fact that I don’t have to trek all over the state to accomplish my to-do lists. For now this thought calms me as I make yet another list: get tires changed over, purchase new hats and gloves for the girls, and get food for all of those holiday recipes I have every intention of actually making this time.

My momentary serenity is interrupted by a new storm brewing in the basement, as my husband calls out, “Since you’ve created so much space in the playroom, I think I’m going to set up my racetrack that’s been boxed up. Wow, there are some dishes and stuff in this box I had before we got married! Where can we put all of this?”

Did I forget to mention that Williston is also conveniently served by 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

Karen Wyman has been a Williston resident for six years, and lives with her husband and twin 4-year-old daughters.